The pro-government Shia-led paramilitary troops have repulsed an Islamic State attack, killing five militant in north of Salahuddin.

“The attack left five militants killed and their vehicle burnt,” the statement added.

Earlier on the day, an army soldier was killed, while three others were wounded as IS militants attacked a joint checkpoint for army and PMFs in Yathrib region, south of Salahuddin.

On Tuesday, al-Salam Corps, the military wing of popular Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement, said it killed three IS suicide bombers late Monday before they could stage an attack against nightclubs in the town of Balad, south of Tikrit, the province’s capital.

Pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, are still held by the militants which poses threats to the liberated regions. Iraqi troops are urged to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.

It’s expected that the Iraqi government will head towards liberating other IS strongholds across Iraq, including in Salahuddin.